Sponsored Cycle Ride 2010

Cycle Ride 2010 ‘A Personal Account’

September 12^th was the appointed day but as frequently happens I found myself unable to participate then, being on the edge of the Staffordshire Moorlands. So I chose to cycle on a Thursday and a very pleasant Thursday too! I hope those who took part on the proper day had as an enjoyable a time as I did!

Obviously I couldn’t expect to find ‘Welcome’ notices, or open churches everywhere, but several of the 18 I visited had their doors unlocked, and some even had a Visitors’ Book so I could sign in. It is amazing how much life there is in places which one would think miles from anywhere – often people tending graves of course, or just doing odd tidying up jobs around the churchyard; cleaning the church; arranging flowers; taking dogs and children for walks or just sitting listening to the birds. One of my signings-in was by a local out on her horse!

So don’t only visit the churches on the cycle ride day because any day a wander around will probably give enormous pleasure. And please all you non-cyclists or walkers, do help the cause by being in your churches to welcome visitors, and get yourself sponsored for doing so.

As from 2011 the cycle ride will be renamed ‘Ride and Stride’. Perhaps we could make it ‘Ride, Stride and Bide’ to cover those who man the churches too!

Helen Peberdy